Project

Upgrading Fire and Safety Systems at Independence Mental Health Hospital

Independence State Hospital

658,000

budget

528,276

sq. ft

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The Challenge

The project involved replacing the outdated fire alarm system across twelve buildings at the Independence, Iowa mental health hospital, each with varying sizes, occupancies, and ages, with the oldest building dating back to 1873. Existing documentation was sparse, with no CAD drawings available for either the facility’s floor plans or the fire alarm system itself, requiring extensive field examination. This process was critical to accurately assess the current conditions and determine the scope of demolition needed for the old fire alarm system.

KEDbluestone Solution

We designed and installed a state-of-the-art fire alarm system with eight addressable panels connected via fiber network, incorporating specialized fire detection, notification devices, and interfaces with elevators and HVAC systems to ensure safety across the facility’s diverse environments. We also upgraded the intrusion detection systems in six buildings and added temperature monitoring for refrigerators and freezers, providing early alerts in case of equipment failure to safeguard sensitive medical supplies. Detailed CAD drawings of the existing conditions were created during the assessment phase, ensuring the hospital had reliable documentation for future maintenance and projects.

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